Cal notebook: Torn ACL knocks out tight end Smith for season

Cal tight end Tad Smith has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is out for the season, coach Jeff Tedford said Wednesday.

Smith is a fifth-year senior, meaning his college career is over unless he petitions the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility.

Smith suffered the injury while blocking during a running play during Tuesday's intrasquad scrimmage.

Smith was the Bears' No. 2 tight end last season and was battling sophomore Anthony Miller for the starting job this year.

"He's a really good point-of-attack guy," Tedford said. "He's big, he's physical. That's really something he was doing a nice job with. Somebody will have to step up now."

Tedford said the injury essentially gives the starting job to Miller, who caught the winning touchdown pass in last year's Emerald Bowl. Senior Skylar Curran figures to be Miller's primary backup.

"I think we're deep enough there that we're going to be fine," Tedford said. "Does it hurt our depth? Possibly. But we still have four or five quality tight ends."

Smith used his redshirt year when he arrived at Cal in 2005, then missed the entire 2006 season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Smith also suffered a broken scapula during spring practice.

Tedford still isn't ready to name a starting quarterback, but he did acknowledge Wednesday that it's essentially a two-man race.

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Kevin Riley continues to take the bulk of the first-team reps at practice, although he split them equally with Brock Mansion during Tuesday's scrimmage. Redshirt freshman Beau Sweeney has worked strictly with the third team during camp.

"I'd say it's fair to say that Kevin and Brock are leading right now, mainly because of their experience," Tedford said. "Beau is going to be a really good player. We feel like we can win games with Beau. Right now, those other guys are ahead with game management. But Beau is doing a great job. We feel like we're in really good shape with those three guys."

Projected starting defensive end Cameron Jordan was demoted to the second team Wednesday and replaced with Trevor Guyton.

Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory was unhappy with how Jordan performed in the scrimmage and has been pleased with Guyton's progress.

Gregory said the move isn't necessarily permanent but that Guyton would be the starter if the Bears were to play a game today.

"They will be evaluated every day like everyone," Gregory said. "Trevor had a really good scrimmage in terms of playing the run and striking blockers. With Cam, he needs to do those things, and he's certainly capable of doing those things. We need to see more of that out of him."

Jordan became a starter last season after Rulon Davis went down with an injury, and Jordan had 47 tackles and four sacks. An ultra-talented NFL prospect, Jordan is a fun-loving player who admits he sometimes needs to take the game more seriously.

"I think for a quick second I almost got content running with (the first team) and that just being my spot," Jordan said. "It made me realize that there's always competition out there. I feel remotivated, to say the least."

Gregory said: "He needs to take practice more seriously. Certainly, he's a very talented guy and a very good kid. He just needs to step up his mental aspect of the game."

Cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson has been named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive player. Defensive end Tyson Alualu is on the watch list for the Lombardi Award, issued to the country's top lineman.